Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Kimberly J. Williams, JD
Secondary Department: Institute of Forensic Sciences
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Dr. Pramod Gumpeni
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Renewal
Project ID (if applicable): 240195
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): M2COMSYS
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a renewal option with M2COMSYS for medical transcription services for the Institute of Forensic Sciences for the period of September 19, 2026 - September 18, 2027, at a cost of $77,000 (240195), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) HCIFS has used transcription services for years and has developed standard operating procedures and workflows including the use of such services. HCIFS pathologists dictate reports, while a contractor transcribes the report. Using a contractor assists with better and more efficient use of pathologist and staff time. The contractor provides transcribed reports, staff ensures reports are properly formatted and pathologists can quickly edit reports.
Expected Impact:
Having transcription services allows HCIFS to quickly produce written autopsy reports for pathologists. This has an impact on finalizing autopsy reports and having them available to the public and law enforcement.
Alternative Options:
An alternative option would be for HCIFS to have current staff to transcribe dictations. HCIFS does not have adequate staff to timely provide transcriptions services. If staff were to provide services, there would be significant delays in producing written reports.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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09/19/2024 |
317 |
Contract Award |
|
08/07/2025 |
298 |
Renewal No. 1 |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 1861 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Medical Transcription Services for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$77,000 |
$77,000 |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$77,000 |
$77,000 |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$77,000 |
$77,000 |
$ |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 7/21/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Cristina Juarez, Finance Manager, Institute of Forensic Sciences; Buki Oyewumi, Sr. Contract Manager, Office of Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter